Gerardo of Borgo San Donnino

Gerard of Borgo San Donnino ( ital: Gerardo di Borgo San Donnino; † around 1276) was an Italian representative of the Spritualen within the Franciscan order in the 13th century.

Gerhard was born in Borgo San Donnino (now Fidenza ) and studied in Sicily. As a protege of religious Generals John of Parma, he was like this a supporter of millenarian ideas of Joachim of Fiore. He later moved to Paris, where he continued his studies. In the Order Convention of Provins he met in 1248 on his brother Salimbene of Parma, of which he was described as " Joachit to the bone " ( totaliter Ioachimite ). Opposite Salimbene Gerhard made ​​about the currently beginning Crusade of King Louis IX. to Egypt ( Sixth Crusade ) funny and predicted its failure by citing a corresponding prophecy of Joachim Jeremias from the comment. 1253 Gerhard and Salimbene met in Mantua for a second time.

In the year 1254 published Gerhard in Paris, the first ever, the eternal three writings of Joachim of Fiore ( Concordia Novi et Veteris Testamenti, Expositio in Apocalypsim and psaltery decem choir matter ) in a book, and added that a preface with the provocative title " Introduction to gospel "( Liber ad introductorius Gospel aeternum ) added. In it he explained the ideas of Joachim of the " everlasting gospel " and the Franciscan Spritualen as the prophesied by Joachim new order, which the government will take over the church with the return of the Holy Spirit. This publication led to a worsening of the already raging at the University of Paris dispute between the brothers of the mendicant orders on the one hand and the world's spiritual teachers on the other side ( Mendikantenstreit ).

Pope Alexander IV appointed a cardinal in 1255 in Anagni a council which, after careful deliberation the theses Jochaims of Fiore and the font Gerhards sentenced on October 23. This led, among other things, the deposition John of Parma and the appointment to the Order of Bonaventure top result. Gerhard himself was arrested in 1263 and placed in a dungeon to Sicily, where he remained until his death.